FCNL solicited the views and concerns of Quaker meetings, churches, and organizations around the country to help discern the following priorities for our lobbying and public education work during the 115th Congress (2017-2018).

Promote peacebuilding, diplomacy and the peaceful prevention and resolution of violent conflict with an emphasis on the Middle East.

Reduce military spending and armed interventions.

Promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Advance equitable criminal justice systems that eliminate mass incarceration and support law-enforcement that is community-oriented and demilitarized.

Pursue policies that promote and respect the rights, safety, and dignity of all immigrants, refugees, and migrants.

Promote equitable access for all citizens to participation in the political process.

Advocate for sustainable solutions to climate disruption and its consequences.

In each priority FCNL and Friends are called on to identify, expose and work to eliminate institutional racism in order to promote genuine equality of opportunity and communities in which everyone can safely live, learn, work, worship, and love.

FCNL seeks to collaborate across the political spectrum to advance these priorities. FCNL’s work will be based on legislative opportunities, specific expertise, leadings, and available resources. In addition, The World We Seek (FCNL’s Policy Statement) gives FCNL the flexibility to respond to crises and to other important legislative opportunities, as Way opens.

The FCNL General Committee approved these priorities on November 13, 2016.

Our legislative policy rises out of our belief that there is that of God in every person and that all creation has worth and dignity. Facing profound global challenges and great opportunity, we speak from our faith for a new vision of how the world community can live together more peacefully and justly and with greater care for each other and our shared world.